Word Origin & History

distract mid-14c., "to draw asunder or apart" (literal and figurative), from L. distractus, pp. of distrahere "draw in different directions," from dis- "away" + trahere "to draw" (see tract (1)). Sense of "to throw into a state of mind in which one knows not how to act" is from 1580s. Related: Distracted; distracting.

Example Sentences for distract

Meanwhile, Porter, could you give him something to eat to distract him?

He more than half wishes there was no business to distract one's mind.

And after that Mr. Direck became too anxious not to distract his host's thoughts to persist with his conversational openings.

All these things trouble him greatly and distract his attention.

Dr. (rises) It is a drawback to interpolations that they interrupt the argument and distract the attention.

"They have their troubles also," Louis said to distract his mind.

The housekeeper will take good care of him, of course, but I know he will be lonely if there is nothing to distract his mind.

Because your heart is heavy, I want to distract your thoughts from the war.

You have a happy disposition, and can distract yourself with books and plans and dreaming, even if it is only for a short time.

They distract the attention of these good men from their devotions and their sermons.